The time has almost come to kiss summer goodbye, but here in Toronto, the season of fun in the sun is not over ’til it’s over. In fact, this month might just be the most exciting one yet. With TIFF coming our way and a whole new lineup of festivals, celebrations, and experiences to take part in, the list of things to do in Toronto this September is practically endless.
To make your life easier, we’ve narrowed it down to 30 of the very best things to do in and around the city this month. Enjoy it, friends!
Festivals
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2022
The most exciting time of the year in film is finally here, and some of the biggest players in Hollywood will be in the city for the world premieres of their highly-anticipated movies.
There are so many buzz-worthy films to see, TIFF-themed cocktails to sip on, celebrities to spot this year, and an entire outdoor street festival to immerse yourself in the movie magic this year.
Where: See the full schedule
When: September 8-18, 2022
Celebrate Toronto
Celebrate Toronto is kicking off its annual event next month, bringing together local artists, entertainers, and businesses of the city’s past, present, and future.
Nathan Phillips Square will transform into a hub where the arts and small businesses come together. The event will offer art shows, photography meet-ups, pop-up markets, and delicious food.
When: September 10 & 11, 2022
Where: 100 Queen St W
The Word on The Street Pop-up
This late-summer pop-up is part of the Toronto Book and Magazine Festival and will be held this season at Evergreen Brickworks.
The event will feature author-led forest walks, a marketplace for books, and featured as well as a reading and discussion with environmentalist Maude Barlowfor her latest book, Still Hopeful: Lessons from a Lifetime of Activism.
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave
When: September 25, 2022
Pedestrian Sundays at Kensington Market
After a two-year hiatus, the Sunday street parties we know and love are officially back at Kensington Market. On the last Sunday of every month throughout the summer, Toronto’s most eccentric neighbourhood hosts a street-wide celebration of community, culture, and ecology. This month is your last chance of the season to experience it!
Where: Kensington Market
When: September 25, 2022
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Redpath Waterfront Festival
Something exciting is making a splash at Toronto’s waterfront. The Redpath Waterfront Festival will take over our shorelines this September and will feature a very special honourary guest — Theodore TOO the tugboat!
This year’s “water weekend” will take place at HTO Park and Sugar Beach, with a whole lineup of water-centric entertainment and activities. From food trucks to live music to larger-than-life displays, this year’s festival is bringing the fun back to the waterfront after two long years.
When: September 17 & 18, 2022
Where: See festival map
Roncesvalles Polish Festival
The annual celebration of culture, art, and music is returning to Roncesvalles this September, in tribute to the neighbourhood, its history, and the people who call it home.
This year, visitors can look forward to fan favourites like Polka and pierogi, local artists, musicians and, of course, food. There will be countless vendors, exhibitors, buskers, and live performances at four separate stages. It’s going to be spectacular!
When: September 17 & 18, 2022
Where: Roncesvalles Ave
Just For Laughs Festival Toronto
We could all use a good laugh after the past couple of years, and lucky for us, Toronto’s Just for Laughs Festival is on its way and it’ll be headlined by the biggest names in comedy.
Celebrities of the comedy and entertainment world will descend on Toronto for the 11-day festival. Plus there, will be an exciting street-wide celebration with live DJs and comedy performances outside of Berczy Park.
Comedy enthusiasts can look forward to shows by Trevor Noah, Issa Rae, Amy Schumer, John Mulaney, RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Trixie and Katya, Ben Schwartz, Deon Cole, Tim Dillon, and so many more.
Where: See the full schedule
When: September 22—October 1, 2022
RendezBrews Craft Beer Festival
The ultimate sip and mingle event of the summer is returning to Toronto’s RendezViews patio. The colourful downtown space will transform into a festival featuring over 50 craft brands of beer, spirits, and cider.
There are four sessions to choose from throughout the weekend-long event. Get ready to sip the day away in the late-summer sunshine, and discover some new favourites along the way.
Where: RendezViews, 229 Richmond St West
When: September 16-18, 2022
Queen West Art Crawl
The annual two-day arts festival in Trinity Bellwoods Park is making an in-person comeback this September in support of artists and residents in Toronto through art, music, and multiculturalism.
The inclusive arts and multicultural festival will feature an outdoor art exhibition, 2SLGBT+ friendly Kids’ Zone and a Main Stage with music and drag that is 50%+ BIPOC. Come out and celebrate Toronto’s local talent and diversity!
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park
When: September 24-25, 2022
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Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival
Said to be the largest Ukrainian festival in North America, this annual event will take place in Bloor West Village this September.
The neighbourhood-wide event will be a celebration of Ukrainian culture, heritage, and the community’s history in Canada. It will feature a range of traditional performances, youth performers, live music, dance, food, and activities.
When: September 16-18, 2022
Where: Bloor West Village
Fall For Dance North
The eighth annual Fall for Dance North is coming back to Toronto for captivating in-person performances.
The dance festival makes a return starting September 17, with a long lineup featuring “multidisciplinary mixed” and full-length dance performances, live musical arrangements, and a new dance film series, at both indoor and outdoor venues.
When: September 18-24, 2022 & September 25-October 1, 2022
Where: See locations
Rolling Loud Toronto
Hip-hop fans, we’ve got major news. Rolling Loud is officially coming to Toronto this month. The world’s biggest hip-hop fest is coming to Toronto for the first time ever, featuring a stacked lineup of major headliners like Dave, Future, and WizKid.
Other big-name acts taking the stage include Lil Uzi Vert, Roddy Ricch, Migos, Nav, Lil Yachty, Pressa, Rae Sremmurd, and Roy Wood$.
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd W
When: September 9—11, 2022
Backyard Festival
The final edition of this free summer festival at Stackt Market is coming up this month and it’s basically a giant outdoor party, complete with a local vendor market, music series, food station, a showcase of artists, and family-friendly fun. What better way to enjoy summer in the city than with good tunes, good bites, and good company in an outdoor oasis?
Where: Stackt Market, 28 Bathurst St
When: September 17, 2022
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Attractions
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)
Let’s go to The Ex! The long-awaited return of The CNE in Toronto is finally here for another year of over-the-top carnival eats, thrilling rides, attractions, and more.
The iconic late-summer carnival will take place until September 5, after two long years on hiatus. And don’t miss The Canadian International Air Show on Labour Day weekend!
Where: Exhibition Place
When: Until September 5, 2022
Illumi: A Dazzling World of Lights
Prepare to be amazed, friends. A new immersive light show will make its way to Mississauga this September. The experience is called illumi — A Dazzling World of Lights and it’s said to be the first of its kind in the world.
Illumi will span 600,000 square feet in Mississauga, taking visitors on a magical journey through 13 different worlds, each with its own theme and spectacular sights.
Where: 7174 Derrycrest Dr (near Hwy 407 and Hurontario St), Mississauga
When: September 14, 2022 — January 8, 2023
Immersive King Tut: Magic Journey to the Light
Travel back in time and experience Egypt more than 3,000 years ago at this new immersive exhibit in Toronto. Immersive King Tut: Magic Journey to the Light welcomes all to explore the wonders of ancient Egyptian history and to hear the story of King Tut’s passage into the afterlife.
When: Until October 30, 2022
Where: 1 Yonge St – Lighthouse ArtSpace Toronto
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Autumn & Halloween Events
Toronto Oktoberfest
Bust out the lederhosen, our favourite Bavarian bash is finally making a comeback! Toronto Oktoberfest will return to the city after two long years this fall, just in time for its 10th anniversary.
In addition to delicious German eats and sips, there will be dancing and live entertainment of all kinds, including the popular Fräulein E cabaret show, traditional Bavarian dancers, and competitions.
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd W
When: September 30 & October 1, 2022
Cranberry Plunge at Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh
The annual cranberry harvest begins this much and to us, that only means one thing — the Ontario cranberry plunge, of course.
Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh is a sprawling 27-acre farm that produces up to 400,000 lbs of cranberries each year. This huge harvest is something you have to see to believe, and you can get the best view possible by strapping on some waders and plunging right in.
Where: Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, 1074 Cranberry Rd, Bala
When: Starting on September 26, 2022
Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland
Spooky season is starting early at Canada’s Wonderland! On September 23, the park will transform into a haunted “scream park filled with Halloween attractions that offer unforgettable thrills and unspeakable horror,’ the description says.
Run from zombies, brave the haunted houses, and have yourself a freakishly good time with your favourite skeleton crew. And of course, enjoy some thrilling nighttime rollercoaster rides!
Where: Canada’s Wonderland
When: September 23-October 30, 2022 (select nights)
Spooktacular Light Show
An enchanting drive-through light show is returning to the GTA this September, just in time for the start of the spooky season.
The 2-km route features two million twinkling lights, a pumpkin filled drive thru tunnel, 3D displays, music lights, and much more. And you’ll want to tune into the event’s dedicated radio stations for special tunes to go along with your experience.
Where: Meadowvale GO Station & Richmond Hill GO Station
When: September 23-October 31, 2022
Pumpkins After Dark
Canada’s award-winning outdoor Halloween event is returning to Milton! “Featuring over 6,000+ hand-carved pumpkins, this one-of-a-kind walk-through experience is the must-see event of the fall season,” the description says.
Wander through the illuminated tunnel as thousands of unique glowing jack-o-lanterns light your path. There will also be many new pumpkin sculptures and installations, as well as live carving demonstrations and delicious treats.
Where: 8560 Tremaine Rd, Milton
When: September 23-October 30, 2022
Downey’s Farm Pumpkinfest
Pumpkinfest is back at Downey’s Farm, with loads of entertainment, activities, food, and of course, thousands of pumpkins ready for picking. Hit up the 8-acre corn maze scavenger hunt, say hello to the farm animals, and be sure to pick up some fresh goodies to take home.
Where: 13682 Heart Lake Rd, Caledon
When: September 17-October 31, 2022
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Special Events
Red Bull Flugtag
For the first time ever, the Red Bull Flugtag is coming to Toronto and thrill-seeking locals will compete in teams to fly their own craft.
Participants are tasked with building their own handcrafted human-powered flying machines and launching them off a 9-metre flight deck in front of thousands of spectators.
The competitors are scored by a team of judges on the creativity of their craft, their performance, and the distance of their flight. It’ll be a spectacle worth seeing, that’s for sure.
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd West
When: September 24, 2022
Motionball Toronto Gala
This red carpet gala for a good cause is attended by many VIPs, influencers, athletes, socialites, and celebrities, in support of the Special Olympics Canada Foundation.
Thousands of guests will head to Liberty Grand for “Toronto’s most sought-after gala,” which aims to raise $300,000 in one night for the Foundation.
You can expect an “evening of unparalleled entertainment with 10 acts across two ballrooms, guests can enjoy live music in one room while DJs spin the night away in another,” as well as an open bar, silent auction, and photo booth to capture the glam.
When: September 29, 2022
Where: Liberty Grand, 25 British Columbia Rd
TSO100: Open House & Free Concert
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is celebrating its 100th anniversary and it’s inviting the public to Roy Thomson Hall for a day of music-themed fun, building tours, and free performances in the lobby by TSO musicians and local artists.
“Torontonians of all ages are invited to join your TSO as we present the works of diverse Toronto artists, and engage in music-themed fun for the whole family,” the description says. A magical, musical must-do activity!
When: September 24, 2022
Where: Roy Thomson Hall
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Foodie Events
AsialiciousTO
Another restaurant festival is coming to the city and this time, we’re celebrating Asian local businesses and cuisine. AsialiciousTO is running for two weeks this September and over 100 restaurants are participating.
AsialiciousTO is a city-wide event where restaurants introduce special menus with set price points. The participating venues include “restaurants, fast food, bubble tea, cafes, bakeries, and food courts of different Asian cuisines in Toronto,” according to the event’s website. Set menu prices start at just $10!
Where: See participating venues
When: September 10-25, 20022
Smorgasburg Toronto
Smorgasburg, America’s largest weekly open-air food market popular in cities like L.A. and Brooklyn, has arrived in the city for the first time ever.
On Saturdays, Smorgasburg’s Toronto edition brings dozens of international food vendors to one place. You’ll get to chow down on some of the best international eats in the city with views of the waterfront, sip drinks from the SmorgasBAR and eat your way through the ice cream alley.
Where: 7 Queen’s Quay East
When: Until September 10, 2022
Mac and Cheese Festival
Can you think of anything more comforting than a giant plate of gooey mac and cheese? We dare you to try. This September, Toronto’s getting an entire mac and cheese festival and you’ll want to wear your eating pants for this one.
The festival will be held at Street Eats Market and if you were at last year’s event, you can expect many of the same creative and delicious takes on this mouthwatering dish.
Where: Street Eats Market x STC
When: September 9-11, 2022
Le Burger Week
Hope you’re hungry, Toronto! In support of locally-owned businesses, this delicious city-wide festival challenges Canadian establishments to go head to head in a battle of the buns all in hopes of winning best burger in town.
It’s honestly delicious and this year, even those who are vegan can also get involved because (while it’s not a requirement) the folks behind the event have tasked participants to make plant-based eats.
When: Thursday, September, 1-14, 2022
Where: See participating venues
All You Can Eataly: Best of Toronto Edition
All you can EAT? We must be dreaming. Toronto’s Eataly is hosting a one-day-only, all-you-can-eat event this month. It’ll feature some of the city’s best restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and more for the ultimate tasting event of the year.
Eat your way through over 15 food stations, over five bars, and much, much more. Names like Kiin, Azhar, Miku, Craig’s Cookies, Bellwoods Brewery, and a few others will be in attendance.
When: September 30, 2022
Where: Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor St West
